Gaseous tube lamp sign



May 5, 193 1. -F. SCHAEFER GASEOUS TUBE LAMP SIGN Filed Aug. 17, 1928 INVENTOR BY firm/a eye/14%;!

z ATTORNEYS Patented.;May' 5, 193 1 UNITED. STATES .rA sNrf OFFICE FRANK SOHA E FER, OF KALAHAZOO, MIGHIGANQLSSIGNOR ONE-HALF TO AMERI- '1 SIGNS CORPORATION, OF KA LAMAZ OO, MICHIGAN Q eAsEous morn rm sren Application filed August 17,1928. Serial No. 360,341.

The mainobjects of this invention are:

First, to providean improved gaseous-tube lamp sign in which the assembled tube structure constitutes a complete sign other than the matter of housing or mounting.

Second, to provide a gaseous tube lamp structure having storage or reserve gas cham-= Fourth, to provide a gaseous tube lamp in p which the electrical connectors are effective v 1y housed and permit the making of the electrical connections without likelihood of injurg to the-lamp.

bjects relating to details and econom es of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embod1- ment of my invention is illustrated in the ac-'- companying drawin s, forming a part of this application, in whic Fig. 1 is-an elevation ofa structure embodying the features of my invention, a portion of one of the electrode chamber housmgs so being broken away and sectioned.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a complete structure, the portions which are coated to render opaque in practice bemg indicated by cross hatching.

In the drawings similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. I

As embodied in the accompanying drawings, my improvements consist of a tubular body member 1 havinga central partitlon 2 therein providing a pair of gas chambers 3. The outer ends of this body member are reduced at 4 providing electrode chambers for the electrodes '5. These electrodes have external contact members 6.

The housings 7, preferably of glass or other insulating material, are of approximately the same diameter as the body member 1 and ,which is formed of a glass tube, the ends of are adapted to abut against the shoulder 8 formed by the reduced extensions 4. These housings are provided with lugs 9 while the body member has opposed lugs 10 with which the connecting springs 11 are engaged, thereby securmg the housings to the body member.

Coiled spring connectors 12 are'arrange'd in the outer ends of these housings and electrically connected to the bindingpost 13 for the circuit wires 15.

Arms 16 are connected to the body member adjacent the outer ends of the chambersB, these arms constituting connections and suports for the indicia or character element 17 as the tube being connected to the outer ends ofthe arms, thereby, providing a continuous passage for the gas and at the same time supporting the indicia element or illuminating portion of the lamp.

The remaining portions of the lamp are preferably coated with black paint to render "hem opaque, as is indicated in Fig. 3.

My improved lamp is simple and economical in its parts; the body member constitutes a support and bracing means for the more delicate character or illuminating element of the lamp and very materially increases the gas capacity of the lamp.

The diameter of the body member is considerably greater than that of the character element and may be readily mounted or supported to carry the more delicate character element.

I have not illustrated the supporting means as they form no part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A structure of the class described comprising a tubular body' member having reduced electrode chambers at its ends and a central partition providing a pair of gas chambers, tubular arms adjacent the ends of said body communicating with said 'gas chambers, a tubular indicia element connected at ,its ends to the upper ends of said arms ,and openingthereto, electrodes disposed in said electrode chambersand provided with extern l contacts,'tubular housmy ings of a diameter corresponding to that of said body member arranged to embrace said electrode chambers, lugs on said body member and housings, coiled springs engaging said lugs whereby said housings are supported on the ends of said body member, spring circuit connectors arranged in said housings to coact with said circuit contacts when the housin s are mounted on said body member, and bin ing posts on the outer ends of said housings electrically connected to said connectors.

2. A structure of the class described comprising a tubular body member having reduced electrode chambers at its ends and a central partition providing a pain of gas chambers, tubular arms adjacent the ends of said body member communicatin with said gas chambers, a tubular indicia e ement connected at its ends to the upper ends of said 7 6. A gaseous tube lamp com rising a tubular body member partitioned to provide a pair of gas chambers, a tubular indicia element connected at its ends to said gas chambers ad'acent the outer ends thereof, and electrodes isposed at the outer ends of said body member.

7. A gaseous tube lamp comprising a tubular body memberpartitioned to provide a pair of gas chambers, electrodes disposed at the outer ends of said body member, and an illuminating tube connected at its ends to said gas chambers inwardly of said electrodes gut adjacent the outer ends of said gas chamers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK SCHAEFER.

arms and opening thereto, electrodes disposed in said electrode chambers and provided with external contacts, tubular housings of a diameter corresponding to that of said body member arranged to embrace said electrode chambers, spring circuit connectors arranged in said housings to coact with said circuit contacts when the housings are mounted on said bod member, and binding posts on the outer en 5 of said housings electrically connected to said connectors.

3. A structure of the class described comprising a tubular member having reduced electrode chambers at the ends thereof, electrodes disposed in said chambers and provided with external contacts, tubular housings of a diameter corresponding to that of said member arranged to embrace said elec-..

trode chambers, In on said member and housings, coiled springs engaging said in s" lar body member partitioned to provide a pair of gas chambers, tubular arms adjacent the ends ofsaid body member communicating with said gas chambers, a tubular indicia element connected at its ends to the outer ends of said arms and opening thereto, said indicia element bein supported by said arms and electrodes sposed at the ends of said body member. 7 p

5. In a gaseous tube lamp, the combination of-a tubular body member partitioned to provide a pair of gas chambers, a tubular illuminating element connected at its ends to said gas chambers and disposed at one side of said ody member whereby said body member constitutes a support for said illuminating element, and electrodes disposed in said body member outwardly beyond the points of connection of said illuminating member to said body member. 

